HUMOR, HOMAGE, and HUMILIATION - Explaining and Differentiating Between Literary Intentions (April Blog)

Ever since Alanis Morissette released her song "Ironic," people have started buzzing about the true

meaning of certain literary terms and whether or not they are truly being used properly in context.
Irony confuses, and like the two p's and satire, which will be addressed momentarily, it depends somewhat on the intention of the writer or speaker.

Irony requires an opposing meaning between what's said and what's intended.  Stop.  Think about that for a long moment.  Even the definition is somewhat head-scratching.  So, if you often find yourself confused by irony, you're in excellent company.  One of the confounding factors of irony isn't just that its definition is a bit, well, complex, but also the sheer number of possibilities for correct usage.  It's bad enough that irony is hard to grasp, but now add to that fact that there are, in fact, a multitude of definitions for different forms of irony, including verbal, dramatic, and cosmic. The sheer variety of ways irony can be used meaningfully suggests that it is something of a "catch-all" for situations that seem odd, upsetting, or amusing.  Enter Ms. Morissette...

If it rains on your wedding day, that may be seen as a coincidence, but not irony.  However, if you moved your wedding to an indoor venue because the forecast predicted rain, but the day turned out to be sunny, and then the sprinkler system at your venue malfunctioned and doused the ceremony with water, so you all got wet, after all, THAT'S ironic.  If you win the lottery and drop dead before claiming the money, that is simply good luck followed by bad luck.  If you meet the man of your dreams and then meet his beautiful wife, that's just a bummer.  But if, then, a song called "Ironic" contains no irony, is that in and of itself ironic?  Nope...not really.  It may just be an example of ignorance.  It depends on the creator's intent.  So if Alanis purposely wrote a song about irony with no ironic content at all, is THAT ironic?  We are getting closer...

Here are six ways to look at Irony.  The first three are the ones we study and must understand clearly:

1.  VERBAL IRONY:  When a speaker or writer is intentionally using words that literally convey the opposite of their true beliefs, generally for the purpose of comic emphasis.  In fact, there is a strong overlap between sarcasm and comic irony.  Example:  Saying "Oh, that's just fantastic," when the situation is really poor.  If the intention is to mock a person or group, this is a specific type of Verbal Irony, affectionately known as sarcasm.

2.  SITUATIONAL IRONY:  A sharp divergence between expectations or perceptions and reality.  Expectations, of course, often differ from results, but to rise to the state of irony, the gulf between them should be vast and the contrast sharp.  (See the wedding example above with Ms. Morissette's song breakdown).

3.  DRAMATIC IRONY:  Perhaps the easiest to understand, as its use is so specialized.  The device in which the reader or audience is tipped off to a crucial fact still unknown to one or more of the characters.  Example:  The audience and Friar know that Juliet isn't really dead, but Romeo doesn't.

*4.  COSMIC IRONY:  Not very often used.  It denotes the idea that the fates are against us, if not indifferent to us, and that our struggles are the result of higher forces amusing themselves at our expense.  Example:  The owner of the Titanic declared, "God Himself cannot sink this ship."  Well, you can infer the rest.

*5.  HISTORICAL IRONY:  Some things become ironic with time.  If the passage of years creates an amusing juxtaposition between a historical event or claim and what has happened since, contradicting it.  Example:  Isn't it ironic that the inventor of the machine gun thought his new weapon would end all war?"  Answer:  YES! It is, in fact, historically ironic. :)

*6.  SOCRATIC IRONY:  The pretense of ignorance used to draw an opponent into slipping up or revealing flaws in their argument.  Example:  She used Socratic questioning in order to enable him to realize the holes in his emphatic argument.

How's that for confusing?  If that isn't enough, irony is only one way to bring in humor or thought-provoking elements in literature.  There are also parody, pastiche, and satire....Buckle up, here we go!

PARODY:  An imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialize an original work, its subject author, style, or some other target, by means of imitation. Example:  The movie "Airplane" is a parody of 1970's disaster movies.  Example #2: Most everything created by Weird Al Yankovic.

PASTICHE:  A work of visual art, literature, or music that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists.  Unlike parody, the intention of pastiche is to celebrate rather than mock. Example:  Many modern artists seek to produce works of impressionism in homage to Renoir and Monet, who are very much beloved.

SATIRE:  A genre of literature and art in which the vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, or society itself into improvement.  Although funny, it's most often intended to shame or offer constructive social criticism.  Examples:  The Daily Show, most political cartoons

There you have it!  Here's to understanding the various ways authors, speakers, poets, and artists humor us, pay homage to us, and humiliate us in all sorts of creative and confounding ways!

I have attached the Morissette song for you to evaluate, armed with your new knowledge of irony.  I have also attached two very funny little videos for your enjoyment from parody artist and comedian, Tim Hawkins.  Reply with the following:

1.  Did you find any examples of true irony in the Morissette song?  Give me an example of irony in something you have heard or read.  What type of irony is it?  Why?


2. What are each of the funny little videos an example of and why?

3.  Which of the previous definitions confused you the most?  What literary device do you find most confusing?

Alanis Morissette:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jne9t8sHpUc
Tim Hawkins Video #1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5R8gSgedh4
Tim Hawkins Video #2:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO2eh6f5Go0

YOU COMPLETE ME! Finding and fixing fragmented thoughts and ideas in our writing. (March Blog)

A puzzle that is missing just enough important pieces so that you cannot quite make out a picture.  A film with no sound.  A wink without a smile.  A street with no name.  

Each description above refers to something that is, sadly, incomplete.  They are, also, in and of themselves incomplete thoughts; they do not quite fit the definition of a complete sentence.  They are the pet peeve of English teachers everywhere--grammatical garble--fractional phrases.  

They are (cue the doomsday music) sentence fragments. 

No one escapes any high school Language and Literature course without being penalized for writing the odd sentence fragment, but not everyone remembers what they are and how to fix them.  A sentence fragment is a group of words that rudely resembles a sentence.  It will start with a capital letter and end with a period; however, it is neither an independent clause nor a complete idea.  A sentence fragment can be very confusing for the reader, so usually, the best thing to do is to fix it by adding what is missing from the sentence or joining it to another sentence. 

Here is a glaring example of a sentence fragment:  Because of the rain.    This is not a complete thought on its own.  We, the readers, are left to scratch our heads and wonder, because of the rain....what?  To complete it, we need more explanation:  Because of the rain, the party was canceled.  Now, our fragment, a dependent clause, has successfully attached to a sentence that has a subject (the party) AND a verb (was canceled).  Our idea is complete.

So...is fixing a fragment just making a sentence a little longer by adding details?  Let's take a look at this famous sentence from the Bible:  Jesus wept.  It is famously known as the shortest verse in the Bible, but it is, in fact, a complete sentence.  It offers a subject (Jesus) and a verb (wept).  

Learning to identify, fix, and avoid sentence fragments not only makes your writing easier to read, but it can also make you sound more intelligent and polished as a writer AND earn you higher marks on Criterion D in most of your IB assessments.  

So...how do we go about fixing a fragment?  Fixing a sentence fragment involves one of two things: giving it the components it lacks or fastening it onto an independent clause (complete idea). Consider the following example:  There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters.  For example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark. 

While this might offer some stealthy ideas, the second statement is NOT a complete sentence.  It is lacking a SUBJECT:  by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark is not a verb or a predicate.  It is actually a prepositional phrase.  Here are two ways you can go about fixing this fragment:

There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters; for example, by hiding under their beds and waiting for dark.

Too formal?  No problem.  Try this instead:  

There are many ways to frighten little brothers and sisters.  For example, you could hide under their beds and wait for dark.  

Bingo!  In both cases, you now have a structurally sound sentence:  you have completed them.

Without exception, you should avoid sentence fragments in formal and academic situations, including your HL essay, Paper 1, Paper 2, and any other writing assessment.  That said, a fragment intentionally placed within a clear context can sometimes serve a valid dramatic purpose.  Journalists, bloggers, and fiction writers often use them.  Here is an example:

No one thought that Ethan could make the jump; it was just too high.  All the same, he was determined to astound us.  No matter what.  

And he did.

No matter what is a sentence fragment.  And he did is a sentence beginning with a conjunction, AND it is a one-sentence paragraph.  But if you are writing a story, a few fragments might actually suit your purpose or style well.

REALIZE YOUR TEXT TYPE.  KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.  KNOW YOUR PURPOSE.  Figure out exactly what it is you are trying to say and how you wish to communicate it, and, of course, to whom.  But make sure that, regardless, you recognize sentence fragments and realize how to complete them.  Then, if and when you discover an appropriate moment to break these rules...

You'll know why.

Now that you are aware of this common problem in IB writing, I hope you will be more mindful of it.  Respond to this blog by correcting the five fragments below and then commenting on what you are hoping to polish in your writing by the end of this year.    

As you go forth into the grand finale of our time together this year (and seniors, as you prepare for exams!), may ALL of your thoughts, ideas, plans, and sentences be complete!  

1. Slammed the door and left.

2. The birch trees with their buttery yellow leaves.

3. Because it was raining.

4. Although she never realized the difference.

5. Required a better reason.

 

TRUE GRIT (February Blog)

 A very long time ago, in a state not so far away (California), I was beginning my teaching career at a very innovative school in Turtle Rock, a community in the city of Irvine.  When I assumed my brand-new position, we had training in a relatively new program launched by parents and educators, born of the "Self-Esteem" movement that first blossomed in the late 1980s. 

As I learned about the program and how it would be integrated into our teaching, classroom management, and philosophy, which proposed lavish praise of kids and handing out trophies just for "trying hard," I felt myself cringe inwardly. At first, I wasn't sure why.

I mean, isn't cultivating a "positive" self-esteem a good thing?  You would think so, but that still, small voice inside of me--you know the one-- that sort of sixth sense or inspired discernment that just "knows" things to be true or not, whether or not you have concrete proof?  That's the one.  That voice whispered to me: "bad idea."  While I couldn't articulate why at the time, I just knew this wasn't the right approach to cultivating the dedication and enthusiastic engagement of young learners.

As time passed, I learned that, lo and behold, that voice was right.  Subsequent studies showed that kids did NOT try harder as a result of the program.  In fact, it was the opposite: coddled kids became softer, slower, and less likely to persevere.  Why?  Because there was one very important characteristic that past generations knew about and encouraged that was NOT fostered and learned in the process:  GRIT.

Carolyn Adams Miller, an author and speaker on the topic from Bethesda, Maryland, said, "This is not a gritty generation.  They become overwhelmed and stressed easily because they have been protected from failure."(1)  Like Miller, Psychologists now assert that grit, not a positive self-concept, is the best predictor of future success and overall happiness.

So...what, exactly, is grit?  According to the dictionary, it is, in this sense, "courage and resolve; strength of character." (2)  It is a passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long term goals.  It is what determines whether a West Point cadet survives or who makes the cut for the Olympic team; in other words, it sifts out those who can ultimately reach the finish line of hard goals in life from those who cannot.  Miller says that talent can only get you so far.  It is really your grit that determines whether or not you make it.

In fact, research has shown that grit is completely unrelated to talent. (3) At times, it is even

inversely related!  Those who are not blessed with talent discover they must work twice as hard, and with grit, they develop the skills of discipline and perseverance.   Grit is contagious.  It is inspiring.  It CAN be taught and fostered.  In a Washington Post article, Miller proposed some steps to cultivate Grit, and they largely relate to our thinking and how we view and approach challenges:

1.  When you face a tough problem, don't tell yourself "this is too hard."  Instead, ask, "Why not me?"

2.  When things get hard, and you want to quit, mentally change the channel.   Focus on a spiritual phrase, mantra, or image that encourages you.

3.  Build a team around you.  Encourage each other.  Be sounding boards.  Connect positively as you pursue your long-term goals by achieving smaller goals.

4.  Instead of offering empty praise and pity in failure, parents should coax their kids through failure.  Point out the lessons and praise the efforts to keep on going through pain and failure.

5.   While it is tough for parents to let their kids experience failure, it is actually the most important KEY in developing Grit!

Back in the 1980s, many communities opted to "soften" neighborhood parks so that kids could fall into a pillow of wood chips.  This seemed, in many ways, very prudent, but as it turns out, it has made kids "softer" as a result.  Creeping grade inflation, allowing kids to retake tests they "bombed," has also been shown to erode the development of grit.  Reducing expectations and workload has made it harder to balance activities and time effectively. Alternately, participation in true, competitive sports and auditioning for roles (and experiencing the disappointment of not always getting the role you want) in theater arts has shown to cultivate grit.

This all really seems to put a spotlight on the IB profile attribute of risk-taking this week.  We have learned through hard experience here that playing it safe and protecting ourselves from failure doesn't seem to net anything but more anxiety and cowardice.  But taking risks, watching, and learning from those who never seem to quit will actually encourage curiosity and lead one to feel truly "alive."

Nancy Wake, an Australian woman who went to fight with the French Resistance against the Nazis during World War Two, once stated that while she was incredibly grateful the war ended as it did and freedom was restored, she never felt more alive and like she was living in her true purpose than during those long, fearful months she spent with troops of thousands of men hiding out in the forests.  At a time of great danger, Nancy chose not to listen to the cautionary pleas and warnings of those around her.  She learned to fight like the men she ultimately led.  It turns out that her being a woman was not a "weakness" after all; in fact, it made her less likely to be seen as a threat by the enemy!  Several of her fellow fighters were quoted as saying that having one woman named Nancy Wake was like having "five additional men" in their ranks!

Kids with Grit are finishers.  They are the tortoises in the race that keep on

moving towards their own established finish lines.  You may trip and fall in life.  You may experience heartbreaking defeat and failure.  But the kids who ultimately succeed are the ones who take risks and feel alive.  They are the ones who get back up after a disappointing blow with a sparkle in their eye, and that sparkle? That's GRIT!

Here is a link to a Ted Talk by Angela Lee Duckworth.  Listen carefully to all she has to say:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H14bBuluwB8

Then, click here to take the Grit test, and see how you score:  https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

Finally, comment below on how you scored, what you have learned, and how you are going to apply it to your life.  

Don't be afraid to get GRITTY!!

(Footnotes:  1.  Holland, Judy.  Washington Post, "The Key Ingredient to Your Kids' Success."  March 9, 2015.  2. Merriam Webster Dictionary  3.  Holland, Judy.  Washington Post, "The Key Ingredient to Your Kids' Success."  March 9, 2015.) 

WORDS ARE LIFE (January, 2026 Blog)

"Don't get upset by what he said.  They're only words." 

Does this statement, or any close variation of it sound familiar to you?  How many of you embrace it as your own philosophy?  How many of you would like to give the speaker a nice, firm sock in the arm?  Well, I am going to start this post here by making a bold statement.  Here it goes: Whether you acknowledge it to be true or not, your words have power.  Lots of it.  You may not feel very powerful when you utter them, but they are, as the great English proverb tells us, "Mightier than the sword."

Now, allow me to explain and expand.  For some, the words of others don't sting as much as they will for others, but whether you are tough as nails or a marshmallow when it comes to matters of the heart, those to whom you communicate may not fall into your same category.

For this reason, being a thoughtful, empathetic, yet clear communicator is a precious skill--especially for those of you who plan to be in any form of upper management.  The best leaders in any industry got there because they knew how to communicate.  They were aware of the great power of their words, and they used that power with skill and wisdom.

If not everyone receives the same words in the same spirit, then how do we become astute at the great art of communication?  Well, the answer is in the question:  it is an art, so we practice.  We test the waters.  Observe more than just verbal communication/language.  We communicate who we are to others in many different ways and within many unique nuances.  Reading people --really taking the time and presence of mind to actively listen to not just what they say but how they say it--can really tell you a lot.

In year one and year two of the IB Language and Literature, Diploma Program, we have already done a lot of communicating with one another in various groups and partnerships, as well as all together on our blog.  As Markus Zusak wrote in his masterpiece, The Book Thief, "words are life," figuratively and quite literally.  Combinations of letters create words, the arrangement of words create sentences, these sentences convey meaning.  What the recipient does with that meaning--how they deconstruct it--builds and tears down elements of their very character.  That's power!

This year, you will continue to have many opportunities to observe and learn from each other's communication styles, and practice wielding your language "sword."  The spoken and written word both have their moment on the world's stage, and whether their influence is felt on a small or large scale, it is a moment that carries power for the listener: a moment in the ears can lead to a lifetime on the heart.  In his novel The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfus writes: "Words can light fires in the minds of men; words can wring tears from the hardest hearts."  See?  I'm not the only literary person to make those bold statements.

In the link below, you will have the opportunity to read Cat Thompson's article, The Power of Language.  Read through it, maybe even commit some of it to memory as a resource to use when you communicate.  See what happens!

You are powerful.  Whether written or spoken, your words carry the power to build someone up and bring life, or tear them down and bring death.

Just like that mighty sword the English were talking about.

Directions for your response post:
1.  Read the short article by clicking the link HERE.  Then, reflect on what you learned, and what most resonates with you on the topic.  
2.  Go through the quotes below about words and their power.  Pick a favorite, type it up in your post, and write about why it was your favorite.  I would LOVE to hear your thoughts...in your own words.

Quotes about language/words: 
The idea that language has great power is nothing new!  But words by themselves only have as much power as we allow them.  Even though our modern society is much more sensitized and defensive in nature (we seem to have lost the art to debate and replaced it with the great art of mudslinging in the public arena), in ancient times and during the Renaissance, the power of our language was acknowledged, admired, and celebrated.  Here are a few famous quotes, including those collected from Proverbs in the Bible and the great bard, Shakespeare, himself...

I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS - Annual Holiday Blog (December)

Once again, Christmas is in the air, hopefully bringing us warm memories of time well spent with those we love. Better than the presents we give and receive is the presence we offer to our friends and family—time spent truly savoring each other's company, setting aside all daily stresses and responsibilities, if only for a little while. Taking time to stop and look at all the beauty around us, engage in deep conversation, and enjoy the beauty of nature here in the desert is important. Now, perhaps more than ever, these are good ways to refocus, set new goals for the upcoming year, and empower ourselves to pursue our dreams. Another way is to stop and consider all the things we love—those things that make us smile, and for which we are so grateful. Then, we can put pen to paper.

Christmas is the best time to do this, for sure, but it is important, as our dear friend Charles Dickens suggests, to "keep Christmas alive and well in our hearts all the year through."  As we prepare to say goodbye to 2025, I am once again renewing the "My Favorite Things" post: an annual activity to make a list of the things that each of us holds most dear--those things we love and cherish in this life.

 
So, to review for those who have done this before, and to introduce to those who are new to the blog this year, here are the rules for the annual Favorite Things post:  Make a list of your 25 most favorite THINGS. The keyword is THINGS.  No people allowed on your list!  That removes the pressure you may feel to name every family member and friend.  People and things should never be categorized together.  People come first.  This list is much more light-hearted!  (I will, however, allow you to include animals/pets on this list in addition to things).

This was REALLY tougher than I thought to narrow it down to 25 for me (initially, I was afraid I would draw a blank!) but here is what came to mind this year first for me.  Try to just take pen to paper and write what comes to your mind first.  These will probably be the most honest.  :)

Let's begin this beautiful Christmas Season, and ring in the New Year with a list of all the things we love...those things for which we are most grateful, shall we?

MRS. CARAWAY'S FAVORITE THINGS...(in no particular order)

1.  Gothic Cathedrals and Cathedral bells- especially those of my favorite at Notre Dame.
2.  The sound of my son Christian playing the piano.
3.  European Christmas Market (and the smell of roasting chestnuts)
4.  Ice-skating
5.  Ballet and pointe shoes
6.  France - Paris, Normandy, and Alsace.  I love it all.

   

7. WW2 history and historical fiction

8. GREAT Writing and Wordsmithery
9. Pretty shoes and long, soft cardigans.
10. Narnia, wardrobes, & Aslan (not necessarily in that order)
11. The sound of the ocean 
12. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.  
13. Things that sparkle (candlelight, glitter, jewels, the ocean in the moonlight)
14. Shakespeare School Festival: There is nothing quite like watching my students perform Shakespeare on a stage in London! 
15. My pets, Katya and Ivy, and their unconditional love example.
16. Tapas and wine with my family

17. Thunderstorms...with lightening

18. The sound of my children laughing out loud together, all in the same room.
19. A well-told story.
20. Unbridled JOY
21. Unexpected discoveries around hidden corners in my travels through Europe
22. My faith and the mystery of GRACE.
23. Perfume! (La Vie Est Belle is my current fave)
24. Riding on Airplanes to new and exciting places.
25. HOPE.  It does spring eternal.

Now, it's your turn... 

Make YOUR list....and remember, it cannot include people.  It must be a list of things (which may include sounds and feelings).  

May this mark an attitude of gratitude in your heart, that you may keep the joy and love of Christmas all year through!  

SEVEN SHELBYS: A Tribute for Veteran's Day (November Blog, 2025)

   

I dedicate this post to my friend Larry Frost, and all those Americans who have given their lives for the freedom I enjoy....

One weekend, several years ago, my husband and I took the family over to our Estrella Residential Center to visit the Moving Vietnam Memorial Wall. At that time, I had not yet seen the one in Washington DC, neither had our kids, so we thought that would be a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon and reflect on the freedom we enjoy, and take time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

One of our very dearest friends is a Vietnam veteran.  He has shared many incredible stories with us in our home and his.  We have looked through his picture and scrapbooks of memories, and seen the display of his many war medals that his wife lovingly made for him.  He had tried to throw them all away once, but she would not hear of it.  Despite the memories that still haunt him over fifty years later, she sees him as a true American hero.  So do I. 

I remembered him telling us many times about his dear friend, Shelby, whom he lost in Vietnam.  It was a horrifying story in which my friend witnessed his best friend's helicopter being shot down just yards away from his own.  Shelby had a baby daughter when he died...a daughter who would never know the incredible, kind-hearted man who was her father.

We arrived at the wall that day, and I realized I didn't have the slightest clue as to what Shelby's last name was, so that I could find him on the wall.  My friends live in Kauai, so I texted them, hoping that perhaps they would see the text and reply in time.  In the meantime, we decided to try to inquire based on our knowledge of Shelby's first name.  It was not a common first name.  Maybe, just maybe, we would get lucky.

We asked the volunteers, who were not only gracious but eager to help us find this friend.  They looked up the name "Shelby" in the database.  "Let's give it a try," one of them said.  Then, we waited a few short seconds, and she gave us the verdict:  "Seven.  There are seven Shelbys on the Vietnam Wall."

I asked her about them--perhaps some detail might register so that we could narrow it down.  Here is what I learned:

There are seven Shelbys on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

One was from Louisiana.  

Two were from West Virginia.

One was from Virginia.

One was from Missouri

One was from Nebraska

and one  Shelby hailed from Ohio.

All of the Shelbys on the wall were from the ages of 20 to 23 when they died.

Seven sons.  Seven friends to countless others.  Seven American heroes.

These are the things these soldiers share...along with their name.

Suddenly, we wanted to find them. We all wanted to find each of the Shelbys on the wall because no matter which one was my friend's buddy, they all had a story to tell. 

A story that ended much, much too soon.

In a strange way, I felt we owed all of the Shelbys a glance, a silent word of thanks.  A touch on the wall.  A photograph.

They deserved to be remembered.

We found all of the Shelbys.  I took photographs of their names because these young men matter.  

My friend did send me a text before we left the exhibit, and we were able to obtain a rubbing of his Shelby.  The Shelby who was his dearest friend.  The Shelby who would never really know his daughter.  The Shelby who will always have a place in my friend's heart, and now, mine...

But I am so grateful to have found the others, as well.  They will also have a place in my heart

Please watch these two videos (links below) explaining the origin of Veteran's Day and honoring American Veterans.  Then, comment on how you celebrate Veteran's Day, or share about any veterans in your life!  

Video One:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvkrwxsLXAw

Video Two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQUxu9uyyBs

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THE CONTEXT KEY: Opening our Eyes to Understanding in Life and Literature (October Blog)

 

You have probably heard it said (often, if you are in the second year of my class!) that context is everything.  Okay, so I admit, it is definitely a cliché, but I would also like to suggest that it is a whole lot more than that.

I recently read a blog post in which a woman detailed a story about attending a church service that was very "charismatic."  In other words, people were very vocal and enthusiastic in their worship style.  She was okay with that, at least at first.  But it really started becoming annoying to her when a woman behind her started yelling "Glory!" and sometimes, "Glory, Glory, Glory!" during the service and the preacher's sermon.  Once was fine.  Twice or three times was pushing it.  But when it became constant, the blogger had enough.  She had formed a judgment about this woman and it wasn't a complimentary one.

After the service, the blogger stopped to speak with the pastor's wife, who was a friend.The pastor's wife asked, "Did you happen to notice the woman who sat behind you today?"  The blogger commented that yes, indeed, she had noticed her, but she stopped herself from saying anything negative or judgmental that she might regret (she was in a church, after all!). That was when the pastor's wife said, "Her son was killed just last week in a drive-by shooting."  The pastor's wife went on to share what an inspiration the woman had been to everyone at the church in the way she had clung to her faith through her pain, "It's truly beautiful," she said.

In that moment, everything changed.  No longer did the blogger see the woman as an obnoxious, overzealous churchgoer.  The woman calling out, "Glory!" had suffered unspeakable loss and tragedy; she was a human being who was bravely confronting her pain and suffering.  The blogger posted these words:  "When we know context, we are slower to judge, slower to write people off, slower to feel disdain, and slower to puff ourselves up in self-righteous [or indignant] pride."*

Communication and social interaction processes are an integral part of our everyday lives;  at school, at work, and at home.  In each of these situations, both our culture and the unique context of our individual lives and situations play a role in how information is communicated, received, and most importantly, understood.  This is such an important revelation as you take in the flurry of information hurled in almost rapid-fire succession at you every day. Whether in watching the news, paging through advertisements, engaging in hallway gossip, or just making your own observations, you must always consider the role that the larger context of that message or sound bite is playing.

This should inspire this question in us all:  Who is judging you without a context today?  All of us can do only so much to allow others to see the "bigger picture."  But ultimately, in a world of Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, short tweets, and snippets of time that people may see us in the grocery store, hallway, or out on the field, they are going to see what they want to see, make of it what they will, and form an instant judgment.  This shouldn't surprise us; after all, we live in a hurried, "instant" world.  Personally, I'd like to hope that people who see me out and about, at my best and my worst, will give me the benefit of the doubt...

I have attached a video link here that highlights the results of a very interesting experiment.  Several photographers were hired (unaware of each other) to photograph the same man.  Each photographer was given a simple background or "context" of their subject.  None of them were true, and all were very different from each other.  It's very interesting how it affected even their artistic choices!  Please watch it by clicking this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-TyPfYMDK8   

In your post, share what you learned in the video, and what your own life experiences have taught you about the importance of context.

We live in a fast-moving, rapidly changing world of quick reactions and snap judgements.  We live in a society that gets its news in disconnected soundbites.  Perhaps it would be beneficial for us all to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on the experiences, emotions, interactions, and relationships that have brought us to this very moment.  Maybe it would do us all one better if we took the time to stop and consider all the possible factors that have brought each individual we encounter to this moment, as well...

(*Booker, Adriel.  "Context is Everything," I Still Belong blog, 2017)